Abstract
The synthesis of both enantiomers of the trans-3-acylamino-4-hydroxymethyl-2-oxo-1-sulfoazetidines 3a, b and 4a, b is described. The enantiomers of 4-hydroxymethyl-2-azetidinone, 7a and 7b, were chosen as starting materials, and the latter was synthesized from L-malic acid. For sulfonation at the N-1 position, the new amidine-N-sulfonic acid 6 was prepared and used. The preparation and antibacterial properties of the 4-acetoxymethyl derivatives 22a, b and 23a, b are described.
